I have been lucky enough not only to see Jun race in the Isle of Man TT but also to have met him while on holiday in Kyoto, Japan.

We met Jun, his manager Asa and friend Andreas at a coffee bar beneath the Holiday Inn, Kyoto, over a coffee we talked about his wish to race in the TT after he saw an article in a Japanese bike magazine many years ago, not only was Jun a smooth fast rider he also wrote articles for Japanese motorcycle magazines, his ambition was to win a TT in 2007.

Jun was well known in Japan as a track specialist, winning the Suzuka 8 hour race, racing in the Daytona 200, the Korean Superbike Championship, he also raced in Thailand and Macau.

Jun’s best results in the TT races came in 2005 when he finished with 9th in the Superbike race, 9th in the Supersport A race, a terrific 6th place in the Supersport B race and a 6th in possibly the most prestigious race the Senior TT.

His results in 2005 put Jun into the top flight of TT riders and but for a tragic accident in practicing in 2006 which cost him his life, I am sure he would have fulfilled his ambition of being the first Japanese rider to take a podium position in modern times.